TEMPE, Ariz. – The Angels are counting on a trickle-down effect from having Albert Pujols in their lineup.

And they're also hoping for a "trickle-up" effect. Batting in front of the most feared hitter the Angels have had since Vladimir Guerrero's prime could have its own benefits with opposing pitchers operating with one eye on the on-deck circle.

Angels manager Mike Scioscia said he will be looking to strike a balance in his choices at the top of the lineup. He definitely wants hitters with a history of good on-base percentage – something in short supply on the Angels, however. But he could also see choosing the No. 2 hitter based less on his OBP track record and more on his ability to take advantage of the likely aggressiveness of pitchers anticipating Pujols' turn at the plate.

"The best fastball hitters we have and maybe in our league --- you're talking about Howie (Kendrick), Kendrys Morales, Vernon (Wells) --- these guys are really, really maybe going to be put in a good situation when you have a presence in the middle of the lineup," Scioscia said.

Kendrick has hit second in the Angels' lineup frequently during his career, with limited success. His .255 average and .293 on-base percentage as a No. 2 hitter are the lowest for any spot in the lineup in which he has made at least 35 starts.

But he was never batting in front of Pujols before.

"That would be great if we do get more (fastballs) because of Albert --- whether I'm hitting in front of him or with the guys behind him," Kendrick said. "But like I always say, I'm just happy to be in the lineup --- as long as I'm not hitting 10th."

Alberto Callaspo (the Angels' leader with a .366 OBP in 2011) and Bobby Abreu (a career .397 OBP) would be conventional choices for the No. 2 spot ahead of Pujols. Wells would not be.

His .248 on-base percentage last year was a career-low and the lowest of any American League hitter who played enough to qualify for the batting title. He has made 84 percent of his 1,485 career starts batting in the middle of lineups (third, fourth or fifth) and only 26 starts batting second (none since 2007).

"I think my approach has changed to where I can still take advantage of fastballs but I can also be selective and do things with more pitches," said Wells who overhauled his swing this winter after becoming too pull-conscious, looking to hit home runs last season. "There's a lot of things where you look at the presence he (Pujols) brings. ... You have an opportunity to do special things hitting in a lineup with a player of his caliber.

"I'd be happy hitting in front of him or behind him. You know he's going to drive in a lot of runs but there are also going to be some leftovers. Either way, I'm in the best condition I can be in from a hitting standpoint."

Scioscia has said it is his "preference" to bat Pujols third in the lineup --- a preference Pujols no doubt shares even though he leaves it unspoken. Pujols has batted third in 1,378 of his 1,668 career starts. But Scioscia held out the possibility of moving Pujols into the cleanup spot if the Angels are struggling to "set the table" for him.

That would put a No.3 hitter in position to benefit from any "trickle-up" effect created by Pujols' presence in the lineup. Wells has been in that position before.

"I hit in front of Carlos Delgado when he was the best left-handed hitter in the game and I didn't get pitched that differently," Wells said. "Guys were still throwing me breaking balls 2-and-0, 3-and-1. The thing is --- yeah, it helps to have someone like that behind you in the lineup. But once you show you can do some damage, they're still going to pitch you tough.

"Of course, if you keep popping out to second or shortstop, they're not going to be too worried."

Scioscia agreed that the benefits of batting in front of an elite-level hitter like Pujols are "a little less than maybe some people might perceive."

"You still have to handle breaking balls in this league," he said. "But there's no doubt about those hitters being --- it's not only fastballs, but they are challenged more. You might get that breaking ball that's in the zone more. You want them to earn whatever they're going to do on the offensive side --- as far as setting a table --- with the dynamics of what's behind them."

Pujols' menacing presence on deck might have done wonders for Cardinals hitters batting in front of him. But the slugger said he never gives any thought to the effect he has on a lineup.

"I don't. I think part of the reason I don't do that is if I start to get caught up in that I start to lose focus on what I need to do which is to focus on the game and do what I can do," Pujols said. "Obviously, I've had great hitters in front of me in the past in St. Louis and there are great hitters in here too. ... This is the big leagues. Even though they get good pitches, they're not just going to throw it right down the middle so you can hit it every day."

Howie Kendrick, left, and Erick Aybar, center, could find themselves batting in front of Albert Pujols, right, a lot this season.TEXT BY BILL PLUNKETT, PHOTO BY KEVIN SULLIVAN
On defense, Howie Kendrick and Albert Pujols will work closely. But they could be side to side in the Angels' lineup as well.TEXT BY BILL PLUNKETT, PHOTO BY KEVIN SULLIVAN
New Angels first baseman Albert Pujols, above, adds a dangerous presence to the middle of the Angels' lineup.TEXT BY BILL PLUNKETT, PHOTO BY KEVIN SULLIVAN
Angels manager Mike Scioscia said it his "preference" to bat Albert Pujols third in the lineup. But he could also bat cleanup if the Angels hitters ahead of him are struggling to get on base.TEXT BY BILL PLUNKETT, PHOTO BY KEVIN SULLIVAN

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